The purpose of this Webinar is to introduce the Allied Health Access Guidebook to the youth program planners and service providers. The Guidebook provides practical information about allied health occupations in order to create or expand programs and services leading to allied health opportunities. The Webinar will introduce some promising practices from the field and resources to assist in local area program development.

The health care industry as a whole - and especially the allied health care sector - has great promise for employing youth and young adults. Occupations in the allied health care field are not only in hospitals and doctors' offices. There are growing numbers of positions needed in long-term care facilities, rural and urban health care centers and clinics, specialty facilities in rehabilitation therapies, firms providing administrative services to insurance companies, medical and dental practices, and many more.

For these reasons, an allied health career can be an excellent field for youth who are at-risk, out-of-school, or have some other barrier to employment. Initial entry into the field is relatively easy, but it is important that the various career pathways that are available beyond these entry-level positions are presented. With the right support and encouragement, many individuals may find a successful long-term career in allied health. Although the beginning of the path may be an entry-level position, additional education and professional development can quickly lead to ever-increasing levels of responsibility and compensation.

About the Youth Connections Community of Practice

The Youth Community of Practice (CoP) is a communication vehicle
to discuss and share promising practices, offer technical assistance and network with colleagues
in the Workforce system and youth development fields.